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District Newsletter - January 14, 2026
IN THIS NEWSLETTER: Highlights: School Board Recognition Month Announcements: CERHS Drama Production Tonight! Mini Cheer Camp MLK Day / No School: Jan. 19 Early Release: Jan. 23 Community: Free Clothing Giveaway for Families Upcoming Board Meeting Support & Resources IMPORTANT DATES: Jan. 14: CERHS Drama Production Jan. 16: Free Clothing Giveaway for Families Jan. 19: No School / MLK Day Jan. 23: Half Day / Early Release (End of Semester 1) Jan. 26: Board Meeting, 6PM Jan. 31: Mini Cheer Performance Feb. 16: No School / President's Day Feb. 17: No School / Staff Work Day School Event Information Hub Highlights School Board Recognition Month January is School Board Recognition Month! We are proud to recognize the five dedicated individuals who serve on the Cle Elum–Roslyn School District Board of Directors. Their time, leadership, and thoughtful decision-making play a vital role in supporting our students, staff, and community. Please join us in celebrating our school board members by leaving a word of appreciation in the link below! Leave A Comment Here Announcements CERHS Drama Production Tonight! You are invited to attend the CERHS Drama Club’s upcoming production, 13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview by Ian McWethy, produced with special arrangement through Playscripts. Two shows will be offered in the elementary cafeteria/multipurpose room at 6:00pm and 7:30pm this Wednesday, January 14th. Free Admission! Mini Cheer Camp The Cle Elum–Roslyn High School Cheer Team is thrilled to host Mini Cheer again this winter! Mini Cheerleaders will enjoy: One fun practice One special performance at the January 31st Home Basketball Game Cost: $55 Includes participation and a shirt for your mini cheerleader Includes admission for ONE adult to the game Additional spectators will need to purchase a ticket at the door Registration closes January 19th, so don’t wait! Click the link below to sign up your child. We can’t wait to cheer with you! Register for Mini Cheer Here MLK Day / No School: Jan. 19 There will be no school on Monday, January 19th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 20th. Have a wonderful 3 day weekend! Half Day / Early Release: Jan. 23 Attention Families, Semester 1 Ends on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, and all schools will be on an Early Release schedule. The Elementary School will be released at 12:25pm, and the Middle and High Schools will be released at 12:30pm. Buses will be running on an early release time as well. If you have any questions, please call the school's main office. Community Connection, Support & Resources Free Clothing Giveaway for Families! We’re excited to invite our school community to a FREE Clothing Giveaway for students TK–Middle School, with some adult sizes available as well! This event is a great opportunity for families to pick up much-needed items—especially winter clothing—at no cost. Whether you’re looking for warm jackets, sweaters, pants, or other seasonal essentials, we encourage you to stop by and take what you need. All items are free and available while supplies last. Date: Friday, January 16, 2026 Time: 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM Location: Middle School Hub We look forward to welcoming you and supporting our families during the winter season. This is also the last chance to look through clothing left in lost and found before donation. Please help spread the word—we can’t wait to see you there! Upcoming Board Meeting When: Monday, January 26th Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Where: District Central Office 4244 Bullfrog Rd, Cle Elum WA 98922 Topic of Discussion: Business Meeting Visit the School Board website for more information. Community Support C.O.A.L. Weekend Food Support If you would like to participate in the weekend nutrition program, please click this link to fill out the google form. For any questions, please contact our C.O.A.L. Weekend Food Coordinator, Margo McLeod, at mcleodm@cersd.org. Community Care Closet The care closet is open to all community members in need. Please Call, Email or message on Parent Square to let us know what your student/family needs and we can arrange for items (aside from cleaning supplies) to be sent home with students. For any questions or interest in donating, please contact: Amy Dorhman, dorhmana@cersd.org, or Margo McLeod, mcleodm@cersd.org. Helpful Links & How To's How to access my family Skyward Account How to access the Online Store How to find Bus Routes SMARTtag Inclement Weather FAQ Health & Safety Topics FAQ for Immigrant Families Cle Elum-Roslyn School District 4244 Bullfrog Road Cle Elum, WA 98922 (509) 852 - 4819 District Links: CERSD Website School Board Webpage District Calendar
Wednesday, Jan 14 2026
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District Master Plan Update: Planning the Future of ...
District Master Plan Update Planning the Future of the 7–12 Campus In This Letter: District Plan Review Enrollment Growth and Facility Needs 7-12 Campus Identified as Most Viable Option Cost and Operational Efficiencies Highlighted Addressing Community Concerns About Grade Configuration Concept Images Show Possibilities, Not Final Design Next Steps & Upcoming Board Meeting Dear Cle Elum-Roslyn School Community, At its Nov. 10 board meeting, the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District received an updated District Master Plan from ALSC Architects, outlining the next phase of long-range facility improvements and confirming the district’s move toward a combined 7–12 secondary campus. The updated plan builds on months of analysis following the Facilities Use Committee’s final recommendation earlier this year. The Facilities Use Committee was composed of community members, industry professionals, architectural experts, and district employees, ensuring a broad range of perspectives and expertise informed the work. Cle Elum–Roslyn School District facilities have reached a point where significant modernization and infrastructure improvements are necessary. While the district has worked diligently to maintain its buildings, many of our facilities—constructed in the 1970s and early 1990s—no longer meet the demands of modern instruction, contemporary educational programming, or the evolving needs of today’s students. This includes supporting both a strong college-going culture and robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways aligned with high-demand jobs in our region. Modern instruction increasingly requires specialized spaces—such as science labs, technical classrooms, special needs populations, physical education, and hands-on CTE labs—that support skilled trades, career exploration, and postsecondary readiness. Our current facilities are significantly out of date in meeting these growing demands, limiting the district’s ability to expand programming and provide students with learning environments aligned to future-ready skills, and competitive options to help our graduates compete in a challenging job market. Enrollment Growth and Facility Needs Capacity challenges further compound these issues. Elementary enrollment currently exceeds building capacity, even with the use of multiple portable classrooms, and demographic studies indicate continued growth of approximately 20–30 students per year. Aging building systems and rising utility costs further underscore the need to modernize our facilities to improve efficiency, sustainability, and functionality. The community can also clearly see growth occurring around us. Two significant developments currently underway have the potential to add nearly 2,000 new households to the area, in addition to several other projects—including the new apartment complex being constructed adjacent to the district office and bus garage. Regional planning data indicates that Cle Elum is anticipated to be the fastest-growing city in Kittitas County over the next decade, further reinforcing the need for long-range facilities planning. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that the district has not made significant capital investments in its schools since the 1990s. As a result, many core building systems are reaching the end of their useful life. While the district has continued to maintain facilities as responsibly as possible, the scale of needed upgrades now extends beyond what can reasonably be addressed through annual operating budgets alone. In the event of a major or catastrophic failure of a critical system, the financial and educational impact would far exceed the district’s current capacity to respond. Many of the improvements being considered—such as modernized learning spaces, upgraded infrastructure, and facilities aligned with college and career pathways—are intended to be proactive, cost-conscious investments that reduce long-term risk, improve efficiency, and better serve students and the community. This planning effort reflects a commitment to thoughtful financial stewardship, ensuring that future needs are addressed deliberately rather than reactively. 7–12 Campus Identified as Most Viable Option The Master Plan reaffirms that remodeling the existing high school into a unified 7–12 campus remains the district’s most feasible and fiscally responsible option. Under this model, 6th grade would return to the elementary level, and the current middle school wing would be repurposed to expand K–6 capacity. ALSC Architects outlined how the remodeled campus would create two distinct environments within one facility, with separated wings, separate lunch schedules, and separate program areas. The design would modernize academic, arts, and career-technical specialized spaces while reducing operational duplication and doubling costs across two separate secondary buildings. Cost and Operational Efficiencies Highlighted The updated financial analysis presented at a previous meeting showed significant cost differences between a combined 7–12 campus and maintaining separate 7–8 and 9–12 schools. Operating a single secondary facility is projected to require approximately $60,000 in additional staffing, largely custodial. In contrast, two standalone schools would require over $800,000 in combined staffing for custodial, food service, office support, safety/security, nursing, and additional teaching and CTE positions. District officials emphasized that the higher-cost model would require ongoing levy support to sustain staffing not funded by the state. The 7–12 structure, they noted, reduces long-term financial risk while increasing operational flexibility and meets one of the Cle Elum School Boards foundational strategic plan goals of being fiscally responsive. Addressing Community Concerns About Grade Configuration During the last presentation, district leaders acknowledged community questions about placing 7th and 8th graders on the same campus as high school students. They noted that similar configurations are common across Washington and that the district already manages cross-grade interactions in middle school and elementary school in the same facility (Pre-K-8th grade), transportation, athletics, music programs, shared facilities usage, and advanced coursework. The proposed facility design would further limit overlap by ensuring dedicated middle-school zones and age-appropriate programming. According to staff, the model preserves developmental needs while improving program alignment and access to specialized spaces, while significantly reducing costs. Concept Images Show Possibilities, Not Final Design ALSC Architects emphasized that the visual materials shared previously are conceptual and intended only to illustrate how independent and shared spaces could be arranged within a future 7–12 building. A final design will be created after the district completes its programming analysis, which is currently underway with staff and consultants to determine the educational spaces and instructional models needed for the next three decades. Next Steps The district will continue refining the Master Plan over the coming months, incorporating updated cost estimates, space requirements, and, most importantly, community feedback. No decisions have been made by the Board at this time, and community insight remains a critical part of the process as we consider how best to plan for the future of our schools. An important opportunity for public engagement is coming up this Monday, January 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room (4244 Bullfrog Road, Cle Elum, WA 98922), during a scheduled Board work session. At this meeting, the Board will hear from the district’s programming consultant and architectural team regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming updates and the results of the Educational Specifications process. This phase represents the culmination of months of collaboration with district staff, translating instructional needs and program goals into the types of learning spaces required to support students over the next 30–50 years. This work session is an informal meeting where no formal decisions will be made. Community members are encouraged to attend, listen, and share their perspectives on what is presented. We value stakeholder voices and look forward to continuing this conversation together as we thoughtfully plan for the future of Cle Elum–Roslyn schools. Additional opportunities for public input will be announced as the design and planning work progresses. More information and ongoing updates are available on the district’s Facilities Use Committee webpage. Facilities Use Committee Webpage Upcoming Board Meeting When: Monday, January 12 Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Where: District Central Office 4244 Bullfrog Rd, Cle Elum WA 98922 Topic of Discussion: Special Work Session Visit the School Board website for more information.
Thursday, Jan 08 2026
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2 Hour Delay Today 1-7-26
2 HOUR DELAY 1-7-2026 2 Hour Delay CERSD schools and bus routes will be delayed 2 hours today, due to hazardous road conditions. School will begin at 10:15am. Parents, please do not drop off students before 9:45am to ensure that there is staff supervision on campus. Staff, Parents and Students should use sensible precautions to arrive safely at school at a reasonable time. Thank you for your cooperation, and drive safe! CLE ELUM-ROSLYN SCHOOL DISTRICT 4244 Bullfrog Road | Cle Elum, WA 98922 | 509-852-4819
Wednesday, Jan 07 2026
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UPDATE: District Water Operations have Returned to N...
District Water Update Water Operations have Returned to Normal January 4, 2026 Dear Cle Elum-Roslyn School Community, The Washington State Department of Health has officially cleared the Roslyn water system, and district water operations have returned to normal. All schools are good to go on Monday, and drinking fountains and normal water use will resume as usual. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we worked through this situation. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at (509) 852-4819. - Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Monday, Jan 05 2026
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District Water Update
District Water Update Dear Cle Elum-Roslyn School Community, The school district remains on the Roslyn water system, which is still impacted by this week’s water main break. Due to the potential for water contamination, all drinking fountains across the district will be unavailable for use until further notice. The district is prepared and taking steps to support students and staff during this time. Our Food Services team has developed alternate menus and will be ready to serve meals as scheduled. The district will also have some bottled water available at schools; however, families are encouraged to send students to school with extra water as available. We anticipate receiving updated information on Monday following Roslyn’s water testing and a review by the Department of Health, and we will share an update with families as soon as it is available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the District Office at (509) 852-4819. - Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Saturday, Jan 03 2026
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Live Stream of Elementary School Winter Concert
Elementary School Winter Concert Facebook Live Stream Dear Cle Elum-Roslyn School Community, Please join us for the live stream of the Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary School winter concert! Families and friends are invited to watch the concert live on the Elementary School Facebook page. Please click the link below! - Cle Elum-Roslyn School District CERES Facebook Page
Friday, Dec 19 2025
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WINTER CONCERT- CANCELED
Winter Concert Canceled Today 12/18/2025 Dear Gray Wolf Families, CERSD Families, and Staff, Due to the current snow and challenging road conditions, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Elementary Winter Concert scheduled for this evening. This is never an easy call, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this causes our students, families, and staff. Our decision was guided by safety, logistics, and continued uncertainty with the developing weather. We need clear parking lots and driveways to keep up with plowing and campus preparation, and with compounding challenges related to full parking lots, transportation and bus pickup, and multiple events scheduled this evening, we would not be able to adequately and safely welcome the public. Requiring staff and more than 500 families to travel tonight would likely lead to high absenteeism and increased risk on already difficult roads, particularly for members of our senior community. We know how much time and effort our students and staff have put into preparing for this concert, and it was important to us to ensure they still have the opportunity to perform and be celebrated. The Winter Concert will instead be held tomorrow during the school day from 9:00–10:30 AM. Families who are able are welcome to attend in person. For those who cannot attend, we will provide a live stream on the Gray Wolf Elementary Facebook page. Live Stream - See Link Below We would also like to clarify that tonight’s home basketball game will continue as scheduled, as the visiting team has already traveled successfully. We truly appreciate your flexibility, understanding, and partnership as we continue to prioritize safety for our students, staff, and community. Our students have worked incredibly hard, and we look forward to sharing their performance with you tomorrow, either in person or virtually. Please stay safe, and thank you for your continued support. Link for Live Stream
Thursday, Dec 18 2025
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District Newsletter - December 17, 2025
IN THIS NEWSLETTER: Highlights: Seasonal Sounds: MS & HS Concert National Honor Society CTE Program Highlights Announcements: Elementary Concert Rescheduled Half Day Early Release, Dec. 19th Winter Break Community: Do you have opinions about development in Kittitas County? Upcoming Board Meeting Support & Resources IMPORTANT DATES: Dec. 18: Rescheduled ES Winter Concert, 6PM Dec. 19: Half Day Early Release Dec. 22 - Jan. 2: Winter Break - No School Jan. 5: Classes Resume Jan. 12: Board Meeting, 6PM Jan. 19: MLK Day - No School Jan. 26: Board Meeting, 6PM School Event Information Hub Highlights Seasonal Sounds from WSMS and CERHS! Last week the holiday spirit was in full swing as Walter Strom Middle School and Cle Elum-Roslyn High School came together for a Winter Concert held on Thursday, Dec. 11th. Under the direction of Music Director Jaime Ramos, students presented an evening of traditional seasonal music and contemporary selections. Read Full Article Here National Honor Society Congratulations to the newest inductees of the National Honor Society! On December 4th, the CERHS chapter of the NHS inducted our new members. This is a huge accomplishment for our new and returning scholars as they are required to uphold the four pillars of the NHS- Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Congratulations Warriors! We are extremely proud of you! Read Full Article Here Hands-On Learning in the High School CTE Program Our High School CTE (Career & Technical Education) students are hard at work gaining real-world skills through hands-on construction and woodworking projects. From building storage sheds to creating custom wood pieces, students are learning valuable skills that prepare them for future careers and success beyond the classroom. Read Full Article Here Announcements Elementary Concert Rescheduled, Dec. 18th The show must go on—just one day later! Because of today’s school closure due to hazardous road conditions, the Cle Elum–Roslyn Elementary School concert will now take place tomorrow, Thursday, December 18th, at 6:00PM (doors open at 5:30 PM), and will be in the Elementary School Gym. We look forward to seeing our families there! Half Day Early Release, Dec. 19th Attention Families, this is a friendly reminder that all schools will be on an Early Release schedule Friday, December 19th, 2025. The Elementary School will be released at 12:25pm, and the Middle and High Schools will be released at 12:30pm. Buses will be running on an early release time as well. If you have any questions, please call the school's main office. Winter Break There will be no school from December 22 through January 2. Classes will resume on Monday, January 5. We hope everyone enjoys the holidays and this special time with family and friends. Community Connection, Support & Resources Do you have opinions about development in Kittitas County? Kittitas County is updating its 2026 Comprehensive Plan, which will guide county priorities for the next 20 years. The County is seeking input from local schools to better understand district needs and community priorities. Families and school staff are encouraged to review the attached newsletter and share feedback. Your participation will help ensure school perspectives are reflected in the long-range plan! 2026 Comprehensive Plan Upcoming Board Meeting When: Monday, January 12th Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Where: District Central Office 4244 Bullfrog Rd, Cle Elum WA 98922 Topic of Discussion: Work Study Visit the School Board website for more information. Community Support C.O.A.L. Weekend Food Support If you would like to participate in the weekend nutrition program, please click this link to fill out the google form. For any questions, please contact our C.O.A.L. Weekend Food Coordinator, Margo McLeod, at mcleodm@cersd.org. Community Care Closet The care closet is open to all community members in need. Please Call, Email or message on Parent Square to let us know what your student/family needs and we can arrange for items (aside from cleaning supplies) to be sent home with students. For any questions or interest in donating, please contact: Amy Dorhman, dorhmana@cersd.org, or Margo McLeod, mcleodm@cersd.org. Helpful Links & How To's How to access my family Skyward Account How to access the Online Store How to find Bus Routes SMARTtag Inclement Weather FAQ Health & Safety Topics FAQ for Immigrant Families Cle Elum-Roslyn School District 4244 Bullfrog Road Cle Elum, WA 98922 (509) 852 - 4819 District Links: CERSD Website School Board Webpage District Calendar
Thursday, Dec 18 2025
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Athletic Practice & Alarm System Testing Today
Important District Message Athletic Practice & Alarm System Testing Today December 17, 2025 Athletic Practices On Schedule Scheduled athletic practices will continue this afternoon, unless otherwise communicated by coaches. Participation is optional, and we ask families and students to please use their best judgment and travel safely. There will be no Boys & Girls Club or other after school activities today. Testing of Lockdown Alarm System Beginning around 2:15PM, our ES and MS school buildings will be conducting a test of the security and lockdown alarm systems. Please note: This is only a test of our emergency systems. There is no cause for concern and no action is required. These routine tests help us ensure that our safety systems are working properly. Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff. - Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Wednesday, Dec 17 2025
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School is now CLOSED today 12/17/2025
Important District Message School Closure Today, 12/17/2025 School is now CLOSED today 12/17/2025 Due to road closures on Westside Road, downed power lines, and safety concerns, school is closed today. Today will be made up on May 22, 2026. The Elementary concert scheduled for tonight is canceled and will be held tomorrow at 6:00pm in WSMS GYM An update on athletic practices will be shared by 1:00 PM. All afterschool activities, including Boys & Girls Club, are canceled. - Cle Elum-Roslyn School District
Wednesday, Dec 17 2025